Survey Reveals Rental Market Outlook

According to a new survey from Apartments.com, an increasing number of consumers continue to look toward renting as a viable option in today’s market, considering it to be an affordable, flexible lifestyle choice. This higher demand for apartment housing means increased renting costs across the nation. In response to this news, Apartments.com conducted a national survey to more than 3,000 of its January website visitors to find out about their 2012 moving plans, including reasons they are moving, why they are opting to rent versus own property, when they plan to move and which tools they value most during their apartment search.
Supporting a growing trend, 33.6 percent of respondents looking for an apartment this year said they are previous homeowners (up from 20.5 percent in 2011). From the survey respondents who said they are homeowners looking to rent in 2012, 26.3 percent are doing so because they believe renting is a more affordable option and 21.2 percent prefer the flexibility renting offers in choosing where to live.

Apartments.com provides the five most popular responses why their website visitors are choosing to rent versus own in 2012:

 

- Renting is a more affordable option: (26.3 percent)
- Flexibility to live where I choose: (21.2 percent)
- To relocate for employment: (20.5 percent)
- Cannot afford to keep up with homeownership expenses: (10.5 percent)
- Lost home due to foreclosure and change in marital status: (less than 4 percent each)

More than 35 percent of respondents indicated they are moving out on their own – whether for the first time or back into their own place – which may be a sign of an improving economy and job market, especially in the rental demographic. Reinforcing that idea is the fact that 23 percent of renters surveyed reported they are relocating for employment opportunities – making that the number one reason for moving in 2012, as it was in 2011. However, the desire to have more space, to save money and to live in a more desirable neighborhood also topped the list. Apartments.com provides the five most popular responses why their website visitors are moving in 2012:

- Relocating for employment opportunities: (23 percent)
- Looking for a bigger apartment: (11.9 percent)
- Shopping for a less expensive apartment: (11.3 percent)
- Wanting to live in a more desirable neighborhood: (10.6 percent)
- Change in marital status: (8.8 percent)

Most importantly to those who are thinking about purchasing rental properties, the price is low, interest rates are low and rental property is going to continue to be in demand!  Contact me for more information on affordable income properties today!

VA Loans Provide Veterans an Added Advantage in Today's Volatile Market

By Keith Loria
RISMEDIA, Friday, February 10, 2012—In today’s volatile market, getting the financing you need to purchase a home is often a confusing and time-consuming process, however, it’s crucial that prospective buyers do their homework before picking the loan that’s right for them. VA loans, which are often overlooked, are a great option for past and current military personnel looking for financing in today’s more stringent mortgage environment.

Established in 1944 as part of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, VA loans are available for any individual who has served in active duty in any branch of the U.S. military for a minimum of 90 days.

“The beauty of this loan is that it allows financing without requiring a down payment,” said Eric Kandell, founder of lowvarates.com. “It also doesn’t allow the mortgage lender to charge the veteran private mortgage insurance.”


A VA loan does require the borrower to pay a one-time funding fee on their purchase, however, which can be paid up front or financed into the total cost of the loan. The funding fee for regular military members is 2.15 percent of the loan while Reservists pay a fee of 2.40 percent.

In addition to servicemen and servicewoman, non-active duty personnel, such as individuals in the Army Reserves or National Guard, may apply for a VA-backed mortgage provided they have completed six years of service. The spouses of deceased or missing military members are also eligible if they have not remarried.

“I’ve closed more VA loans in the past two years than in the past decade,” said Steve Thorne, area manager for First Financial Services, Inc. in Raleigh, N.C. “It really is a great benefit to the veteran in the ‘New Mortgage World.’ The key to getting more veterans to take advantage of this benefit is simply an awareness of the benefit.”

Statistics provided by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs show that there are approximately 25 million homeowners currently eligible for a VA loan. However, only 10-15 percent of those who are eligible have taken advantage of the VA loan program when buying or refinancing.

One reason for the low numbers is that for many years leading up to the mortgage crisis, there were numerous conventional mortgage products that were easier or more economical to the veteran than the VA loan.

“In the wild, wild west of mortgage lending from the early 2000s to 2008, 100 percent financing was commonplace,” Thorne said. “So why pay the VA funding fee just to have 100 percent financing? Not to mention the VA control of the appraisal process, understanding residual income and all the additional disclosures. It was a more cumbersome process than the ‘come on down, everybody gets a loan’ of the conventional arena.”

Many veterans, especially those not so recently discharged, don’t fully understand the benefits of a VA loan, and many aren’t even aware that they’re entitled to one. With a VA loan, veterans can literally buy a home with little to no money out of pocket.

“In the past, veterans were told about other financing on the market and people were more inclined out of ignorance to use non-VA loan financing,” Kandell said. “It’s a great loan and you are going to see a massive shift in numbers going forward, as these same real estate agents will be begging you to go VA now.”

Those interested in learning more about VA loans should talk with a mortgage representative to discover their options for getting the best use of these funds.

Borrowers who received a dishonorable discharge from any military branch are not eligible.